In 2018, I was on a planning call for Relativity Fest and asked if anyone wanted to join me for a cold, dark, very early October run while I was in town for the conference. The response was crickets, then laughter. However, the Relativity team generously offered to add it to the agenda.
This is how the Rise and Run was born.
Honestly, I didn’t always find pleasure in running, but in high school, the best-paying summer job you could get was as a lifeguard working on the beach in Queens. Although I could swim the required 600 yards in under 10 minutes, prospects also needed to run a mile and a half in 12 minutes or less, which I had yet to do.
So, at 16, I spent several afternoons sprinting around the perimeter of Marine Park in Brooklyn alongside my friend Danny Weiss (now a renowned photographer), hoping to maintain an 8-minute pace to pass the test and work at Riis Park in Rockaway. Thankfully, that worked out, and I spent six summers lifeguarding. I eventually completed several marathons, including Chicago’s during Relativity Fest 2016, and the Ironman (twice :) ).
My Friend, Alex
Several of my friends ran when we were younger, including Alex Hanan. Inspired by his dad, I remember when he ran the LA marathon after moving to California from New York early in his career. We never ran together, but racing connected us.
One year, Alex registered for the New York City Triathlon with his younger brother, Dean, then a respected leader in the New York City Police Department. I was also doing the race, but he was starting early with the first responders, so I did not expect to see him. Luckily, just as he was about to dive into the Hudson, I saw him in the distance and screamed a drawn-out “AL-exxxx!” He looked up and saw me. We both laughed from far away. It was a fun moment, and we reminisced about it at the finish line and for many years after that.
When Alex was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, losing his ability to run was among many frustrations. He gauged his progress from certain treatments by his strength to get back on the road. He really was amazingly positive and resilient throughout the entire ordeal, which the Lung Cancer Foundation of America has shared in detail.
Almost immediately, Alex decided to use his condition to raise money for cancer research. He hosted events and engaged in several fundraisers on both coasts. He was beloved in New York and in California. In fact, the 2018 season premiere of This is Us was dedicated to Alex by his close friend, Dan Fogelman.
Setting a Friendly Pace
That prep call for Relativity Fest 2018 was a couple of months after Alex passed in July, following a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. So when the idea became an official part of the agenda, I proposed making a donation in honor of all of the runners and in memory of Alex. I remember the Relativity team at the time being remarkably supportive and encouraging, even though we really did not know if anyone was going to show up.
As it turned out, on that October 2018 morning, I arrived at the lobby of the Chicago Hilton and found about 30 people were waiting for me. Relativity's dynamic marketing and events team had people stationed along the lake to direct us through a 5K route. I made a donation to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, and the Rise and Run was cemented.
It has become a tradition and a wonderful community-building effort now at Relativity Fest, ILTACON, Legalweek, CLOC, and Lexpo. Many more people are aware of the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, and together we have raised thousands of dollars for this cause—both through my own donations and those of other individuals and companies who have participated.
Before we begin any of these runs, I tell people about Alex and remind everyone of how lucky we are to be able to run together. I think he would enjoy knowing that so many people are thinking of him, and I will always be grateful for Relativity inspiring the first gathering. Thank you!
Join us at Relativity Fest Chicago 2025
I invite you to join us next Wednesday, October 8, at the Hyatt Regency for the annual Relativity Fest Rise and Run. We’ll meet at 6:30 a.m. in Plaza A. There will be light refreshments following the run. You don’t have to run an 8-minute mile or even run at all (walking is welcome). See you there!
Graphics for this post were created by Guss Tsatsakis.
